Focusing on the popular 205/55 R16 tire size, Auto Zeitung have tested 8 tires - one from each of the six premium manufacturers, and a tire each from the two brands known best for their excellent winter offerings, Nokian and Vredestein.
A Past Champion Reborn
This year Continental have replaced the dominant Continental ContiWinterContact TS 830 with their latest offering, the Winter Contact TS 850, and it once again finds itself in the top spot. No matter what the surface, the TS850 offers a remarkable level of grip, precision and safety, while still managing to score strongly on the new EU tire label.The best performance on snow came from the Finnish experts, Nokian, while Pirelli took the top honours in the slush test.
The Results
Continental WinterContact TS 850
205/55 R16
The new TS 850 from Continental is balance and extremely safe to drive on
All discipline results (3)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 125 |
| Wet | 129 |
| Snow | 134 |
Total: 388
Nokian WR D3
205/55 R16
With the top snow performance, the Nokian secures second overall
All discipline results (3)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 115 |
| Wet | 114 |
| Snow | 141 |
Total: 370
Goodyear UltraGrip 8
205/55 R16
With a strong result in all 3 tests, the Goodyears excellent balance results in 3rd place
All discipline results (3)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 110 |
| Wet | 123 |
| Snow | 128 |
Total: 361
Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D
205/55 R16
A sporty agile tire with excellent resuilts in all tests, bar aquaplaning
All discipline results (3)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 114 |
| Wet | 117 |
| Snow | 129 |
Total: 360
Michelin Alpin A4
205/55 R16
The Michelin Alpin A4 is a good all rounder with predictable handling
All discipline results (3)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 115 |
| Wet | 115 |
| Snow | 122 |
Total: 352
Pirelli Winter Snow Control Series 3
205/55 R16
The Pirelli Snow Control Series 3 is strong in the wet and good on slush
All discipline results (3)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 108 |
| Wet | 122 |
| Snow | 118 |
Total: 348
Vredestein Snowtrac 3
205/55 R16
The Vredestein Snow Trac 3 is stronger in the snow than it is in the dry or wet
All discipline results (3)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 109 |
| Wet | 113 |
| Snow | 120 |
Total: 342
Bridgestone Blizzak LM32
205/55 R16
Excellent in standing water and slush, the Bridgestone is comparatively poor in the dry and the wet
All discipline results (3)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 107 |
| Wet | 111 |
| Snow | 105 |
Total: 323
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